Assistens Cemetery

Cemetery · Indre Nørrebro ·

Assistens Cemetery

Cemetery · Indre Nørrebro ·

Park-like cemetery with notable Danish graves, popular picnic spot

Information

Kapelvej 2, 2200 Nørrebro, Denmark Get directions

@onthegrid

18,031 Postcards · 836 Cities

On the Grid : Assistens Kirkegård

"Okay, so grab a coffee from Coffee Collective on Jægersborgade and take a walk with Hans Christian Andersen behind the tall yellow walls. The mature trees and well-groomed gardens offer the perfect resting spot in the heart of Nørrebro. Here you’ll find locals catching some summer sun among the tomb stones in what is truly surreal experience to any visitor to Copenhagen." - Kaktus København

https://onthegrid.city/copenhagen/n%C3%B8rrebro/assistens-kirkeg%C3%A5rd

Assistens Cemetery

@onthegrid

18,031 Postcards · 836 Cities

"Assistens Kirkegård, Nørrebro. Okay, so grab a coffee from Coffee Collective on Jægersborgade and take a walk with Hans Christian Andersen behind the tall yellow walls. The mature trees and well-groomed gardens offer the perfect resting spot in the heart of Nørrebro. Here you’ll find locals catching some summer sun among the tomb stones in what is truly surreal experience to any visitor to Copenhagen."

Copenhagen

Assistens Cemetery

@cntraveler

41,698 Postcards · 5,568 Cities

15 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen

"This famous cemetery is smack in the middle of Copenhagen’s hip Nørrebro district and doubles as a public park that people actually hang out at—and even sunbathe in. Pathways meander through gardens, meadows, and woods punctuated with tombstones of famous Danes. It’s very Nordic noir. Wander the grounds looking for familiar names on headstones, or simply appreciate the park for its lush natural beauty, peaceful gardens, and art sculptures." - Mary Holland, Jenna Scatena

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-copenhagen

Courtesy Assistens Cemetery

Assistens Cemetery

@cntraveler

41,698 Postcards · 5,568 Cities

Assistens Cemetery

"Start us off with an overview.This famous cemetery is smack in the middle of Copenhagen’s hip Nørrebro district and doubles as a public park that people actually hang out at—and even sunbathe in. Pathways meander through gardens, meadows, and woods punctuated with tombstones of famous Danes. It’s very Nordic noir. Who will we find here?Many Danish legends have been laid to rest here, like fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen and philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. Wander the grounds looking for familiar names on headstones, or simply appreciate the park for its lush natural beauty, peaceful gardens, and art sculptures. How easy is it to navigate?The main paths are paved and easy to navigate, but venturing off the beaten track will lead you to narrow dirt trails and less populated parts of the park. If you’re short on time or looking for an efficient way to see the main points of interest, the cemetery hosts regular 1.5-hour guided tours. Check their website ahead for the weekly schedule. Who comes here?On any given weekend, groups of friends host picnics on the lawns, couples and joggers stroll the moody paths, and family members pay homage to the deceased." - Jenna Scatena

https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/copenhagen/assistens-cemetery

Courtesy Assistens Cemetery

Assistens Cemetery

Jason M.

Google

If you’re looking for a dramatic cemetery, this isn’t the place. It is a lovely, park-like atmosphere, with many famous graves. However, all of the “famous” headstones seem to be recent replacements, which really saps the historical element. The paths where biking is allowed are clearly marked. Don’t trust Google Maps bike directions, which kept sending us on non-biking paths. It also kept showing us exits that weren’t open.

Bartosz B.

Google

Each time I visit a new country I try to see some cemeteries, as they show cultural differences and can tell a lot about the culture. This is a great cemetary/park. If you will get there, don't miss the grave of HC Andersen.

David

Google

This is a beautiful and peaceful place to walk, especially on sunny days. It feels more like a quiet park than a cemetery. Many people come with their families or as couples, and you often see others riding bikes or having a picnic on the grass. The paths are wide and shaded, and the atmosphere is calm and inviting. It is also a place of cultural and historical importance, where you can find the graves of well-known Danish writers, scientists, and other prominent figures. A special spot where everyday life and history gently come together.

Zalina М

Google

Nice and peaceful cemetery. It is not forbidden to use as a public recreational place with the respect to the true nature of the place. I was on short trip to Copenhagen so I stopped by why exploring the neighborhood of Norrebro, of course stopping by the resting place of the H.C.Andersen.

Agustin Ignacio R.

Google

Super nice cemetery. The vibe really cool so I strongly recommend to visit this place. Usually the people go there to be relax, read a book or listen to music.

Shelley C

Google

A peaceful and beautiful cemetery that is the burial place of many famous Danish people. The cemetery is split into sections that are alphabetically labeled. There are maps throughout to help you find your way around. The maps, also, list where the location of the famous burial places. There are hard surface paths around the cemetery. However, many plots require you to go down dirt paths. These are muddy and slippery in bad weather, so ensure you are wearing suitable footwear. The site is accessible to people who use a wheelchair or have mobility issues. You would have to decide on an individual basis whether to go off track as that would be dependent on weather and the lack of space between graves in some areas. There are toilets in the cemetery. I did not use them, but I was informed that they are accessible.

Ding J.

Google

One of my favorite places in Copenhagen. I spent a lot of my weekends here, reading and knitting.

Cuong L.

Google

Assistens Cemetery is a historical place with prominent Danish figures. A bit creepy strolling the grounds. Nice to visit if in the area but wouldn't go out of my way.

Austin G.

Yelp

This 1760 cemetery makes you fall in love with Copenhagen. The final resting place of Hans Christian Andersen and Soren Kierkegaard, it's now set up as a public park, a popular picnic spot and running place. On an early Sunday morning, I ran to the cemetery and it was lovely!

Katharine S.

Yelp

I started reading Kierkegaard in high school, read him again in college, read more of him in grad school, and even taught his "Fear and Trembling" (1843) in an Introduction to Ethics course. Finding his tombstone was high on my list of Copenhagen to-do's. The cemetery is easy for tourists like me to find: it's just off of Nørrebrogade. Posted throughout the cemetery are signs that list the "notable people" buried there and maps on which their plots are marked. Thus it was not difficult at all to find Kierkegaard's grave. Thank goodness I didn't have to ask someone for help and try to remember to pronounce "Kierkegaard" the way that Danish people do (that is, NOT "Kierke - guard.") Had I thought ahead I would have also tried to find Regine Olsen's grave, too. Her married name turned out to be Regine Schlegel, so that is what it would be listed under. A Google search reveals that her tombstone was stolen in 2002 (!) and I am not sure whether it has been returned or replaced. The cemetery is very attractive and park-like, though no more or less so than the other Copenhagen cemeteries through which I have walked. Running through cemeteries and walking dogs in cemeteries are no-no's in the United States, but apparently it is acceptable to do so here. The map marks which of the paths are also friendly for cyclists. I understand that there are also guided tours (in Danish) through the cemetery on some Sundays for DKK 50. There were also signs for a production of Dostoevsky's short story "Krotkaja" (adult tickets DKK 195, $27) that takes place in the cemetery chapel. The show is running now through June. I can't imagine a better place to see a Dostoevsky short story in which suicide features prominently!

Kelly J.

Yelp

As someone who has lived in America for a big portion of my life, I was brought up to think of cemeteries as a place you only went to visit a grave. When I moved back to Denmark I realized that that was not the case here! Cemeteries are used a lot as a park here. Assistens Cemetery is a beautiful place though, so I can see why it's used so much as a park! Whenever I'm in the area I absolutely love to come here for a little stroll and sometimes if the weather is good, sit on the grass with some friends enjoying the weather. The famous Hans Christian Andersen is buried here as well and they have signs directing you to his grave.

Michael U.

Yelp

An enormous Cemetary spanning several thousand meters off Nørrebrogade, Assistens Kirkegarden contains the final resting places of Søren Kierkegaard, Hans Christian Andersen plus several thousands others and although inherently a sad place meant for remembrance the layout, flowers and elaborate Tombstones cannot help but make one smile whether as part of a morning jog or as a place to relax and spend time with family or friends.

Fernanda S.

Yelp

It's a cemetery, but it's also a park and I promise you it won't be creepy to hang out and lay on the grass. The place is gorgeous. I know the long yellow brick walls around it don't really leave you curious to go in, but you should. Walking around the graves you may see a bunch of famous Danish personalities, from writers to architects, but they are all long gone, so you won't have any souls haunting your Copenhagen time, don't worry! Come walk around, sit down and enjoy a nice afternoon. Could be an interesting choice for a first date, or to bring the kids.

Eva K.

Yelp

In my country, people would look at you weirdly when you say you're hanging out or having a picnic at the cemetery. Witches? Satan worshipers, perhaps. Here in Denmark, fortunately, cemetery is creepy-free - or at least in the summer time when there's abundance of sun. At least there's no horror-feel like at this particular one where the word "hyggeligt" can be assigned to a place where they buried dead people. Apart from it being a nice park, full of beautiful flowers and trees (and some creepy trees, admittedly) this is also cemetery for the famous people, with the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen and the great philosopher Søren Kirkegaard being in the list. Trust me, it's a nice place for a walk, besides it is close to Jægersborggade where all the nice restaurants, cafes, wine and beer bars are located. Totally worth a visit.

Tomas L.

Yelp

Very interesting park, cemetery, church and botanic garden in the same time. This place offers peace, harmony and natural beauty. It's perfect for a walk. I usually get some coffee at Jegersbogade and than I just walk around the cemetery and relax. If you have any problem with your partner, go there switch off phone and talk, talk, talk. Problems will stay behind the yellow wall for ever! ;)

Jessica M.

Yelp

What a lovely cemetery/park! Make sure you visit the time traveller's grave! :-) This is the final resting place of some notables, such as Charles Dickens. Many Hansens, Christensens, Jensens, and so on, adorn the gravestones. I sure wish cemeteries in The United States were like this.

Ken M.

Yelp

A delightful walk through the gravestones. Good for either a contemplative stroll, or a romantic wander. There's some recognizable names --- Søren Kierkegaard is probably the top of that list --- but it's less of a pilgrimage location than some other graveyards I've visited. For those visiting a particular plot --- or just with a green thumb --- there are watering cans and a spigot. Bring a coin for the grocery-cart-style deposit system. There are a few people on bikes, but they weren't a problem; it really is too nice a place to rush. Definitely worth spring, summer, fall, and winter visits if you're around for the turn of seasons --- this place is timeless without feeling old.

Virginia Y.

Yelp

Probably the nicest cemetery and most welcoming one I've ever been to. Great spot for picnics, bike rides, strolls and jogs. On the weekends they have flea markets which is fun to rummage through.

@onthegrid

18,031 Postcards · 836 Cities